![\"avatar\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/3981633.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI don\u2019t think it\u2019s going overboard by saying Pascal Gross has been one of the players of the season in the Premier League<\/a> so far. Also, I agree, 3pm games are just better when it gets dark at half-time.<\/p>\n Brighton visit the Etihad for the second time this week after losing on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. And it\u2019s a second weekend in a row in the north-west after their trip to Anfield last Sunday. On Thursday, their travels take them to Getafe near Madrid \u2013 not as glamorous as it sounds, I\u2019ve been there.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSunderland\u2019s story is important and something we\u2019ve analysed,\u201d Coventry\u2019s Frank Lampard said in August. Today\u2019s meeting at the CBS Arena is the first since the dramatic Championship playoff semi-final they contested 18 months ago \u2013 Dom Ballard and all that.<\/p>\n Since then, the two sides have taken diverging paths \u2013 Coventry spent another season in the second tier while Sunderland\u2019s post-promotion form led them all the way into Europe. But today they meet as near-equals \u2013 they occupy the bottom two places in the Premier League<\/a> table.<\/p>\n Both are in need of points and, particularly for Sunderland, in need of pride. \u201cThere\u2019s always a new story and a new chapter to write,\u201d Sunderland\u2019s Regis Le Bris said this week. \u201cThis game will be an exciting one with our intention to be us, show up with our identity, our pillars, our foundations and, after that, the game will be the game. Coventry have won twice in the Premier League so they are competitive. The Premier League is a new chapter for them but they are still efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n That article from Barney made my head hurt.<\/p>\n And here it is! Don\u2019t let Stillgrizzly put you off \u2026<\/p>\n Marc Gu\u00e9hi gets the Barney Ronay treatment. Illustration: Nathan Daniels\/The GuardianShare<\/a><\/p>\n Manchester United Women are on a roll right now. After some teething problems under new manager Eva Olid, United have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions and drew with the WSL champions in the Manchester derby last weekend.<\/p>\n Speaking after United\u2019s 3-0 win over Burnley in the League Cup on Wednesday, Olid said: \u201cThis match is really good for momentum but we cannot relax on Saturday, we have Everton in the league. In the league, anything can happen and everyone is difficult to play.\u201d<\/p>\n Captain Maya Le Tissier had played every minute of United\u2019s last 118 games until she was subbed against Burnley. \u201cShe knew [about the sub], because the records are good but I need to protect her,\u201d Olid said. \u201cI think she needed a rest and I think it was the best decision, but still, she\u2019s starting all games.\u201d<\/p>\n Today\u2019s game is, of course, taking place at Goodison Park, which Everton Women have to themselves after the men moved to Hill Dickinson Stadium.<\/p>\n Maya Le Tissier plays every minute (almost) for United. Photograph: Poppy Townson\/MUFC\/Manchester United\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.15 EDT<\/p>\n It\u2019s Wolves v Cardiff today, which is a good excuse to remember the all-time classic of April 2018. As both teams chased promotion in the Championship, Cardiff missed two stoppage-time penalties, Ruben Neves scored a great free-kick and Neil Warnock told Nuno Espirito Santo to \u201cf*** off\u201d for celebrating too much.<\/p>\n Reckon Brian Barry-Murphy and Cesar Peixoto will go at it today?<\/p>\n Neil v Nuno, 2018. Photograph: Kieran McManus\/BPI\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n More on Chelsea v Man United – a quiz!!!<\/p>\n ….13 games ago they also met competitively in the FA Cup semi-final (2020, Chelsea won 3-1, Covid closed doors I think) Lowest score (rarest answer in my head) wins.<\/p>\n Good luck.<\/p>\n Stooze does his best Alexander Armstrong impression \u2026 is Willy Caballero (Argentina) a pointless answer?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Alonso rules out January loan for Est\u00eav\u00e3o despite lack of minutes<\/p>\n Will we see any of Est\u00eav\u00e3o at the Bridge today? Xabi Alonso has ruled out a January loan exit for the 19-year-old after questions about his limited game time. Est\u00eav\u00e3o was left on the bench for the Carabao Cup game against Liverpool and has played just 47 minutes in the Premier League<\/a> so far this season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s no secret that all players want to be on the pitch,\u201d Alonso said yesterday. \u201cWhen any of them haven\u2019t had enough minutes because of my decision, I have to take the responsibility for that. But everyone has to be ready because in any game they could be important. Este, his training and his attitude has been good.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I enjoyed Andy Hunter’s article on Alexis Mac Allister this morning. The statistics he refers to were interesting and I hope Macca can keep this up.<\/p>\n Here is the article in question and a snippet of Andy\u2019s stat action \u2026<\/p>\n double quotation markMac Allister\u2019s sense of responsibility extends to implementing Iraola\u2019s instructions for his new team. Figures from Opta show the midfielder is winning more tackles per Premier League game this season \u2013 2.3 on average compared to 1.8 last season; winning more duels (4.8 from 3.8); winning more aerial duels (0.9 from 0.6) and winning more possession (5.6 on average compared to 3.8).<\/p>\n He is sacrificing the offensive side of his game to bring more aggression and organisation to the defensive aspect, and his touches in the opposition box, chances created, goals and assists are all down on last season as a consequence. Not that Iraola is complaining.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.34 EDT<\/p>\n For those of you in the UK, today\u2019s Milan derby is being shown free-to-air on BBC Two. How about that?<\/p>\n Inter and Milan this week unveiled plans for their new stadium that will replace San Siro from the 2031-32 season, in time for Italy to co-host Euro 2032.<\/p>\n The stadium, sponsored by Generali \u2013 Italy\u2019s largest insurance company \u2013 will have a capacity of 71,500 seats and is expected to cost the two clubs \u20ac1.2bn (\u00a31bn). The plans were revealed at a gala event at Milan\u2019s Castello Sforzesco on Thursday \u2013 but some fans in attendance voiced their opposition to San Siro being demolished.<\/p>\n Shortly before the briefing began, a group of Inter fans walked into the courtyard of the castle and unfurled a banner reading: \u201cYou will never extinguish the lights at San Siro,\u201d and chanting: \u201cHands off San Siro.\u201d Work on the new stadium is set to begin in 2028, on the site of the existing 75,000-capacity venue.<\/p>\n The proposed Generali Stadium. Not bad, eh? Photograph: Foster + PartnersShare<\/a>Today’s standout fixtures<\/p>\n All times GMT<\/p>\n Premier League Championship League One League Two Women\u2019s Super League Scottish League Cup Europe Share<\/a><\/p>\n It is not all rosy at Chelsea either. A home defeat to Spurs can bring any season to a grinding halt and the manner of the performance last weekend has brought Xabi Alonso under scrutiny. Wednesday\u2019s defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup has not helped, with the domestic cups surely taking higher priority this season without European football.<\/p>\n But perhaps the most concerning thing for Alonso is his growing injury list. In recent days and weeks he has lost Reece James, Jo\u00e3o Pedro and Maxence Lacroix \u2013 with none of them expected back for a few weeks at least. Emi Mart\u00ednez could soon make a return from his broken jaw, but it will be Mike Penders in goal again today.<\/p>\n Here are the predicted lineups for the lunchtime clash with Manchester United \u2026<\/p>\n Chelsea v Manchester United: probable starters in bold, contenders in italicsShare<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not always rosy and nice conversations,\u201d Michael Carrick said on Thursday as he reflected on a difficult week at United amid speculation over his future and the general state of the club.<\/p>\n United have gone eight games without a win after their worst league start in 40 years. They are 16th in the Premier League<\/a>, one point above the relegation zone. Carrick suggested he had held talks with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada this week \u2026<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s pretty clear, it\u2019s not always rosy and nice conversations between anyone, whether that\u2019s between me and the players, whether that\u2019s between me, Jason, Omar or the owners.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the truth, it\u2019s the hard truth at times and it\u2019s what we need to move forward. Whatever we need to move forward, we will do.<\/p>\n On the reception he was given \u2013 and the boos his players received \u2013 at Old Trafford following defeat to Bournemouth last Sunday, Carrick said \u2026<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019ll be totally honest, it was mixed feelings for me. To have the appreciation from the supporters and that connection and that respect is something I feel strongly about.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t a nice situation but to feel that was important, of course, but it didn\u2019t make me feel better in the fact that I\u2019m with the players 100% and we\u2019re all in it together. I\u2019ve told the players that, I\u2019m happy to say that.<\/p>\n Old Trafford was \u2018mixed feelings\u2019, says Michael Carrick. Photograph: Marc Atkins\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.01 EDT<\/p>\n Manchester United: What\u2019s gone on this week? Well, you would have got long odds on Michael Carrick being in the dugout at Stamford Bridge when he trudged down the tunnel at Old Trafford last weekend.<\/p>\n Monday: The powers that be at Carrington \u2013 the immensely popular Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada \u2013 hold talks over Carrick\u2019s future. Carrick attends an under-21s match at the training ground.<\/p>\n Tuesday: Wilcox decides to give Carrick a chance to turn things around. Bruno Fernandes holds clear-the-air talks with Carrick after sitting out the defeat to Bournemouth. Eddie Howe emerges as United\u2019s prime candidate if Carrick is sacked.<\/p>\n Thursday: Carrick says he will not strip Fernandes of the captaincy and says he is not surprised to have kept his job as head coach. \u201cBetween us, we\u2019ve got to make a difference and push things in a good direction,\u201d Carrick says.<\/p>\n Should Fernandes return to the United lineup at Chelsea today? If he does, he\u2019ll lead them out as captain.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Suspicious bets for predicting Ballon d’Or under investigation<\/p>\n A series of suspicious bets that correctly predicted the exact top-five finishing order of this year\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or and generated almost $200,000 (\u00a3149,000) in winnings is being investigated by the event\u2019s organisers, France Football, who have also contacted the police.<\/p>\n It has been alleged that 12 Polymarket accounts \u2013 an American cryptocurrency-based prediction market \u2013 placed the bets, with more than $264,000 wagered on the outcome before Monday\u2019s ceremony. Their extraordinary accuracy has raised serious questions about a potential leak of confidential results before football\u2019s most prestigious individual award.<\/p>\n Harry Kane was crowned the winner at the ceremony at the London Palladium, finishing ahead of Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi. Remarkably, this was the exact order predicted by the group of accounts identified in French media outlet Upside\u2019s investigation.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Aston Villa to take legal action against Carragher for ‘unacceptable insults’<\/p>\n Aston Villa have announced plans to take legal action against Jamie Carragher following his \u201cunacceptable insults\u201d about the club and its supporters.<\/p>\n Carragher told Villa fans to \u201cshut the f*** up\u201d after facing criticism for suggesting Unai Emery should consider taking the Manchester United job. Villa responded on Friday evening with a statement on X signed by their chair, Nassef Sawiris.<\/p>\n \u201cAston Villa will initiate legal action against Jamie Carragher for his unacceptable insults about the club and its fans,\u201d the statement said. \u201cAston Villa will not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football. Nassef Sawiris, chairman.\u201d<\/p>\n Jamie Carragher told Aston Villa fans to \u2018shut the f*** up\u2019. Photograph: Michael Regan\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.44 EDT<\/p>\n There are a couple of news lines to bring you before we take a look at today\u2019s fixtures.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Hello and welcome to Matchday Live on a bumper day in the Premier League<\/a>. I\u2019ll be bringing you the latest news and buildup to eight top-flight games, with Chelsea v Manchester United on the menu at lunchtime. Michael Carrick lives to fight another day in the United dugout and so does Bruno Fernandes as captain after clear-the-air talks took place this week. We shall have to wait and see if Fernandes returns to the XI. Chelsea and Xabi Alonso could really do with a result after their poor display against Tottenham.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, there are five 3pm kick-offs including Manchester City v Brighton (again<\/a>) and the basement battle between Coventry (19th) and Sunderland (20th). Plus there is a first game in charge of Championship Burnley for Fabio Celestini for the visit of Portsmouth to Turf Moor. It really starts to get spooky after dark as Spurs host Crystal Palace and Aston Villa face Fulham.<\/p>\n Two of British football\u2019s grand old grounds host action as Everton take on Manchester United at Goodison in the WSL and Rangers face Aberdeen in the men\u2019s Scottish League Cup semis at Hampden. Fleetwood, if anyone is asking, are at home to Bristol Rovers in League Two. Oh, and it\u2019s Der Klassiker in Germany as Bayern Munich (and Ballon d\u2019Or winner Harry Kane) host Borussia Dortmund. Is that everything? Nope, there\u2019s a Milan derby, too.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re on your way to a game today or have anything to get off your chest, you can email me here<\/a>. Comments will hopefully be open BTL shortly, too.<\/p>\n![\"avatar\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/10941688.gif\")
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There were players of 14 different nationalities across the two starting 11s that day.
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Name a player and his nationality who started that game (no AI\/Google cheating) – Chelsea v Man Utd FACSF 2020<\/p>\n![\"avatar\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/4538397.png\")
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12.30pm Chelsea v Man Utd
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3pm Bournemouth v Leeds, Brentford v Nottingham Forest, Coventry v Sunderland, Hull v Ipswich, Man City v Brighton
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5.30pm Tottenham v Crystal Palace
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8pm Aston Villa v Fulham<\/p>\n
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12.30pm Lincoln v Birmingham
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3pm Burnley v Portsmouth, Southampton v QPR, West Ham v West Brom<\/p>\n
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12.30pm Bradford v Huddersfield, Plymouth v Reading
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3pm Peterborough v Luton<\/p>\n
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3pm Crewe v Barnet, Salford v Exeter<\/p>\n
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12.45pm Everton v Man Utd<\/p>\n
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5.30pm Rangers v Aberdeen<\/p>\n
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5.30pm Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
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7.45pm Milan v Inter<\/p>\n